Advance-Fee Scams in Algeria
Advance-fee fraud in Algeria targets citizens with fake inheritance claims, government contract opportunities, and emigration assistance requiring upfront payments.
Part of: Advance Fee Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Algeria's large diaspora in France and other European countries creates a two-directional flow for advance-fee scammers. Within Algeria, fraudsters target individuals with promises of government contracts, land-sale proceeds, or inheritance funds from abroad. Diaspora members are targeted with fake legal notices about Algerian property or estate matters requiring urgent fee payments.
The scams tap into real phenomena — many Algerians have family property ties and inheritance interests — making the initial approach highly plausible.
How this scam works on Algeria
Inside Algeria, small-business owners receive calls claiming they have been selected for a lucrative government or oil-sector supply contract. Before the contract can be issued, a registration bond or compliance fee must be paid through an unofficial channel. The contact disappears once payment is made.
A second variant targets families whose relatives emigrated decades ago: fraudsters pose as Algerian notaries or lawyers claiming to have located an unclaimed estate or property deed, requiring notarial fees to process.
Algerians in France are targeted by fake Algerian legal firms offering to resolve property or inheritance disputes quickly for an upfront retainer — disputes that may be entirely invented.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited contact about a government contract, inheritance, or estate you were unaware of
- Request for payment before any official documentation is verified or signed
- Notary or lawyer cannot be found in official Algerian chamber records
- Urgency: payment must be made within 24–72 hours or the opportunity will lapse
- Payment requested via informal channel rather than official bank transfer
- Contact switches to personal WhatsApp or Gmail after initial formal-looking communication
How to protect yourself
- Verify any notary or law firm through the Chambre Nationale des Notaires d'Algérie or the Ordre des Avocats
- Never pay advance fees for government contracts — legitimate procurement does not require bond payments to individuals
- Check property or inheritance claims with the relevant Algerian court or registry directly
- Consult the Algerian Embassy or Consulate if contacted about Algerian legal matters while abroad
- Take time and seek a second opinion — scammers rely on urgency to prevent careful verification
How to report it
- Report to the Gendarmerie Nationale or the DGSN cybercrime unit
- Notify the Chambre Nationale des Notaires if a fraudster impersonated an Algerian notary
- Report to the relevant bar association if a lawyer's identity was falsely used
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether an Algerian notary is real?
The Chambre Nationale des Notaires d'Algérie maintains a register of practising notaries. Contact the chamber directly rather than using contact details provided by the person claiming to be a notary.